Anyone have experience with either one or both/all of these breast pumps? I’ve searched the forums, but I seem to come up short on Hygeia reviews, and the reviews for the Ameda and Medela seem mixed. My insurance covers all of these, but I’m not sure which is better. I’m leaning towards the Hygeia because it’s a closed system (also endorsed by LLL), but I’ve heard bad things about their customer service. There is also another model (freemie freedom), but I think it’s geared more towards someone that needs a portable “hands free” pump (I’ll be a SAHM, so portability isn’t really a priority). Any advice or suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!

I think most women typically only have experience of one pump, so it’s hard to find people who can compare more than one.

I have the Hygeia and love it – but I’ve never tried one of the others. I would definitely opt for the closed-system pump. In my opinion, if an open-system pump gets milk in the mechanism, ever, (which they do,) the milk is contaminated, period, even if you are the only person who ever uses it. Mold is mold, whether it comes from your own milk or someone else’s. For that reason, I would not get a Medela, even though they are the most widely-used brand and so many people love them. (For more info, google “breast pump mold”, “breast pump contamination,” etc.)

I have had no problems with my Hygeia, so I haven’t needed to deal with their customer service.

I believe Ameda is also closed system? Beyond that, though, I don’t have any experience with them.

Here is a useful site for sorting things out: http://www.breastpumpcomparisons.com/ Keep in mind, though, that most of the women writing the reviews also only have experience with one type of pump.

housebee: I had an Ameda Purely Yours (it is a closed system) and it was… ok. Not great, but not terrible. I did pump exclusively, so I feel like some of the issues I had were because that particular pump is just not really set up or designed to be used that heavily. Their customer service is top-notch, and the unit is small enough to carry back and forth to work.

My problem was that (since I EPd) I had to replace parts more frequently. I didn’t know how often to change out the valves and membranes, so it took a supply drop for me to realize I needed new pieces. Knowing what I now know, if I have to EP again I will definitely be more on top of replacing things versus waiting until I hear air hissing or see a decreased output. Hopefully I will only be pumping at work, but who knows!

I have the Ameda and it’s ok. (I dont have anything to compare it to, but I rarely use it since I dont work FT.) If I had to do it again, I would personally have gone with the Hygia, but I didn’t since I didn’t know anything about it at the time. I have heard that Ameda’s quality drastically went down since they started making a ton more as a result of the new healthcare laws.

housebee: I have a PISA and have used my sister’s freestyle. I prefer the freestyle for multiple reasons. Even if you are a SAHM, not having to be plugged in to the wall (like you do with PISA) is super helpful! I’m actually highly considering buying the freestyle because it seem higher quality to me and my output is always better with it.

FWIW, the nurse/LC who ran the breastfeeding group at my hospital said there’s no such thing as open/closed systems. I should have asked her to expand on that since clearly there’s so much out there online about it.

I had the ‘purely yours’ model when I was exclusively pumping. It last two days! Two! Then I couldn’t get more than an ounce out of my hugely engorged breasts. By physician recommendation, I went out and bought a Medela, came home, pumped four ounces out of each breast! It was insane! I hated my Ameda pump! It was so painful and it didn’t even work! Wouldn’t trade my Medela for anything!

MrsWBS: Here’s a website that does a good job of explaining it, with photographs. The critical part (the membrane) is (or isn’t, as the case may be) in the joint between the flange and the tubing, not in the mechanical part of the pump:

I have an ameda purely yours. I only pump when I am engorged or trying to avoid it. It’s been fine for my purpose but if you plan to exclusively pump you might want to consider something stronger. I can see how it might not do enough all day everyday.

I don’t really know anything about the Hygeia but I’ve heard that either the PISA or the Ameda is the way to go.

I have the Ameda Purely Yours because that is what insurance sent me. If I was buying one on my own I probably would have bought the PISA. BUT…I’ve never used the PISA so I am not sure I can really compare the two. I have had problems pumping at work but it seems to be my own issues (which have been getting better) with relaxation.

I pump enough with the Ameda to feed baby while I’m away from her at work all day so I can’t really justify purchasing a new PISA. I don’t EP, I pump 3 times a day at work and I pump on one side at night when she’s eating. Occasionally if my boobs wake me up at night I will double pump some of the milk off. I BF 5x a day for her other feedings and on weekends.

It sounds like the PISA has a higher cycle frequency, which I would prefer. If I was purchasing myself I’d probably buy the PISA. But I am not too hung up on a closed system. If you want a closed system I would get the Ameda.

KCKnd2: thanks I have seen that before and understand what they’re saying. What I don’t understand is given all that info why my LC said there’s no such thing! She said it’s a marketing tactic that was made up by the company?!